SharePoint Communication Site vs. SharePoint Team Site

Attribute	SharePoint Communication Site	SharePoint Team Site
Primary Use	For broadcasting news, events, and other information to a broad audience	For collaboration and teamwork among a specific group of people
Homepage Layout	Focuses on showcasing content with large hero images and news articles	Includes quick links to documents, lists, and team calendars
Permissions	Typically more open to allow for broad access to information	Can be more restricted to limit access to specific team members
Integration	Can integrate with Yammer, Microsoft Stream, and other communication tools	Can integrate with Microsoft Teams for real-time collaboration

Introduction

SharePoint is a powerful platform developed by Microsoft that allows organizations to create, manage, and share content and information. Two common types of sites within SharePoint are Communication Sites and Team Sites. While both serve as collaboration tools, they have distinct attributes that cater to different needs within an organization.

SharePoint Communication Site

A SharePoint Communication Site is designed for broadcasting information to a wide audience within an organization. It is ideal for sharing news, reports, and other important updates. Communication Sites are visually appealing and can be customized to reflect the branding of the organization. They are typically used by departments or teams that need to disseminate information to a large group of people.

• Designed for broadcasting information
• Visually appealing and customizable
• Ideal for sharing news and updates
• Used by departments or teams to reach a wide audience

SharePoint Team Site

A SharePoint Team Site, on the other hand, is focused on collaboration and teamwork within a specific group or project team. It provides a centralized location for team members to store and access documents, share calendars, and communicate with each other. Team Sites are more interactive and are meant to facilitate collaboration on tasks and projects.

• Focused on collaboration and teamwork
• Centralized location for documents and communication
• Interactive and facilitates collaboration on tasks
• Meant for specific groups or project teams

Attributes of SharePoint Communication Site

One of the key attributes of a SharePoint Communication Site is its ability to showcase news and updates in a visually appealing way. Communication Sites often feature hero web parts that highlight important information, images, or links. This makes it easy for users to quickly access the latest updates and announcements from the organization.

Another attribute of Communication Sites is their flexibility in design and layout. Users can customize the look and feel of the site to align with the branding of the organization. This allows for a consistent and professional appearance that reflects the identity of the company.

Communication Sites also offer integration with other Microsoft 365 tools, such as Yammer and Microsoft Stream. This enables users to incorporate social networking and video content into their communication strategy, making it more engaging and interactive for the audience.

Attributes of SharePoint Team Site

SharePoint Team Sites are known for their collaboration features that enable team members to work together on projects and tasks. One key attribute of Team Sites is the ability to create and manage document libraries, where team members can store, share, and collaborate on documents in real-time.

Team Sites also offer integration with Microsoft Teams, a collaboration platform that allows for chat, video conferencing, and file sharing. This integration enhances communication and teamwork among team members, making it easier to collaborate on projects regardless of location.

Another attribute of SharePoint Team Sites is the ability to create and manage lists, such as task lists or event lists. This helps team members stay organized and track progress on various tasks, ensuring that projects are completed efficiently and on time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SharePoint Communication Sites and SharePoint Team Sites serve different purposes within an organization. Communication Sites are ideal for broadcasting information to a wide audience, while Team Sites are focused on collaboration and teamwork within specific groups or project teams. Understanding the attributes of each type of site can help organizations leverage SharePoint effectively to meet their communication and collaboration needs.